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Mum rages as daycare won't let kids leave until they've cleaned away day's mess

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The mum was furious when her daughter was almost late for an appointment because her daycare made her stay past home time to clean up the toys she was playing with

The mum pulled her daughter out of nursery before she'd finished cleaning up (stock photo) (

Image: Getty Images)

We all know that teaching children to be responsible for their own actions is important, and it's common to start that lesson by having them clean up the mess they make with their toys.

But one mum has been left furious after her daughter's nursery decided to start teaching her that important lesson at the very end of the day - so she's never ready to leave on time.

The mum explained she picks her daughter up from nursery at the same time every day, and hates it when her little one isn't ready to leave when she arrives, especially if it means they're going to be late for any plans they might have in the evening.

She also said she's tried telling her daughter's nursery teacher to give her something to do that's easy to pack away at the end of the day - but they don't always remember.

She was almost late for an appointment (stock photo) (

Image:

Getty Images)

In a post on Reddit, the mum said: "My two-year-old daughter has been in a home daycare for a few months now. The teacher, Sasha, is very nice. I am normally all for my daughter cleaning her own messes.

"However, I find when I arrive, Sasha expects my daughter to finish cleaning up whatever she was playing with. Which again would be fine, but it delays us getting out the door and heading home, and sometimes we have plans.

"I started texting Sasha when I was so many minutes away, asking her to get my daughter ready and that seemed to work. My daughter would be in her jacket and reading a book, [which is] easy to put away vs a huge Duplo project or similar."

However, things came to a head when the mum was running late so had forgotten to text Sasha when she was on her way to pick up her daughter for an important appointment that they couldn't miss.

When she arrived, her daughter was in the middle of cleaning up a big mess, and the teacher was furious when she tried to get her daughter to leave without finishing the job.

She added: "Things were crazy and I was in a rush. We had a lot to do this afternoon and I was running behind because I had car trouble. When I arrived, my daughter and some friends were in the middle of cleaning up a big mess. I told my daughter that we had to go, and to get her coat.

"Sasha said she needed to finish cleaning up her part. I said any other day, sure, but I am running late and we cannot miss this appointment. Sasha tried arguing that the kids need to learn responsibility and I flat-out said no. I grabbed my daughter, put her coat on and left.

"As I said, hectic afternoon, so I only just now had time to check my texts. I had one from Sasha saying poor planning on my part doesn't mean I can break rules. I pointed out this is not in the contract and I can bring my child home whenever I need want. She accused me of undermining her authority. I was given 'a verbal warning', which I found ridiculous."

Commenters on the post were largely on the mum's side, as while many agreed that her daughter should clean up after herself, they also said it should be done before she's due to go home.

One person said: "I have about seven years of hone daycare experience. Messy play is for mornings or early afternoons. After 4.30 (or 5.00, depending on when pick-up starts) is for quiet reading or screen time. Things you can drop and go.

"Parents do not want to wait around for toys to be cleaned up. As a provider, I don't want to work late either. This is poor time management by the daycare provider."

While another added: "Assuming you're not picking up early or at random times without any warning, it's completely reasonable for clean-up to happen before pick-up time. I've never heard of this at any daycare. I think it's totally reasonable to kindly and respectfully request that your daughter be encouraged to participate in clean-up prior to pick-up."

And a third posted: "Once in a while, things happen! The daycare lady was a bit power trippy. If it were all the time then sure, but not for a first offence."

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